Gun ban, other poll no-no’s for strict prohibition on May 14

MANILA — Gun bans and barring all other prohibited acts during elections would be strictly enforced in the May 14 barangay and youth leadership polls, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) stressed on Monday.

DILG Officer-in-Charge Secretary Eduardo M. Año said the DILG would work closely with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) in strictly enforcing these.

Año said he had told the Philippine National Police (PNP) to begin preparing for the gun ban implementation and for the recall of police bodyguards during the during the election period. which runs from April 14 to May 21, 2018.

“The PNP should now start preparing the recall letters and send them before the election period starts,” he said.

Under Comelec Resolution No. 10247, the DILG, the National Police Commission (Napolcom), and other law enforcement agencies are tasked to help the Comelec enforce the said prohibitions.

Likewise, Año ordered the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP) to be on guard against the illegal release of prisoners before and after election day, as provided by Section 261 of the Omnibus Election Code.

Other prohibited acts from May 4, 2018 to the eve of the election day are construction or maintenance of barangay-funded roads and bridges, appointment or hiring of new employees, the creation of new positions, promotion, giving of salary increases, and remuneration or privileges.

Also, under Comelec Resolution No. 10246, during the election period, prohibited are carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons, as well as organizing or maintaining reaction forces, strikes, and similar forces.

There will also be a ban on altering precincts or establishing new ones and transferring or detailing officers and employees in the civil service, including public school teachers. Elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay officers may not be suspended during the election period. (PNA)